The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-26
TAKEN BACK TO THE ASYLUM
A Strange Story Regarding a Girls Com
mitment to the Insane Asylum.
After Being Released from the Institution
and Securing q Home through Trustee
Manys Aid. She Is Recommitted.

The recommitment OF Miss Cora B. COUNSEL
a weak-minded young woman to the Insane Asy-
lum on the affidavit of Dr.. j. T. Boyd, on Wednes-
day, has created something of sensation in
official circles, and has resulted in some rather
strange disclosures regarding the girls life. She
is now twenty-three years of age Ten of those
years have been spent at the Insane Asylum.
Her mother died in this city when she was quite
young, and left her without home. Her father
soon afterward married a second time and moved
to Georgia, and efforts to open correspondence
with him have been unsuccessful Her
grandparents resided at Columbus, Ind.
For some reason, and by some means.
she was sent to the Insane Hos
pital The record of the commission shows
that she was not insane. but feeble minded.
Some time after her commitment her grand
father died at Columbus and left a will. in
which he beoueathed to her 81. 800, payable
when his youngest became of age. which
will not be for seven eight years yet. Mr..
Spencer, the present Mayor of Columbus.
made the executor of the will. The young
woman remained in the asylum until last April.
when DR.. Fletcher refused to keep her any
longer.
She went directly to Township Trustee Many
for assistance. She told him of her money in
trust at Columbus. and he directed her to go
there, Mayor Spencer, the executor of
the will. and ask him for means to support her
until she could find opportunity to earn her
own living. Instead of receiving assistance she
was arrested by the sheriff of the county and
brought back TO this city. Trustee Many took
her in charge, and kept her in the poor-house
until he found her home with Mrs. Elizabeth
Dixon, at the corner of Tennessee and Michigan
streets The home pleasant to her. and
err
with the household work.
Yesterday morning she was surprised when
two deputy-sheriffs came to Mrs. Dxon's resi-
dence and announced that she was to be taken
back 20 the asylum. She refused to go, but they
took her. Mrs. Dixon at once called on Trustee
Many to ascertain why the woman had been
committed The information a surprise to
Mr. Many and Immediately he began investigat-
ing the case So far as he could learn one
authorized the return, or knew anything about
about it, but DR.. Boyd, who made the affidavit
that she uncomfortable and should be
turned. Mr.. Many went directly to the hospital
and brought the young woman back to Mrs.
Dixon's home.
Mrs. Dixon says Miss COUNSEL is perfectly
sane. is not even weak minded, and is amply
capable of making her own living. Mr.. Many
made arrangement with Mrs. Dixon by
which the girl is to be cared for until she
get possession Of her money. The treatment of
the girl has aroused the suspicion of the trustee
and county officers, and the motive for it is to
be investigated more thoroughly.
DR.. Fletcher stated last evening that Miss
deprived her of the consideration she ought to
have from those who should take Of her.
She has been insane for years and on the
strength of decided Improvement in her con-
dition she was discharged from the hospital last
April, but for the want of proper attention she
had relapse. and she was yesterday returned
to the institution. In the afternoon, ne stated,
friends interested in the case said they would
take charge of her. and that they had place
for her to live where she would be treated n
siderately. Upon that assurance the Doctor
gave her a furiough, as he thought she would
never be better worse than now. She ia
capable of dong light work in the way of chores
and service OF that kind.
DR.. Boyd said, in reference to the recommit-
ment, last night that he made the affidavit be-
aesEse he believed that the asylum the best
place for the young woman. He had known her
parents many years and had ALWAYS taken
an interest in her. He had been watching her
course since she had been released from the
asylum, and was satisfied that she forming
vicious habits and was not being controlled at
all Recently" SAID he, 'she taken to
manned but few days. The ladies of
could not do it. After that the president of the
the Home. and the president of the Christian
Temperance Union came to and asked
have the girl recommitted to the asylum. Act
ing upon their request and my own feelings in
the matter. made the affidavit. Ihave personal
knowledge that since her release she has been
wandering about the streets much of the time.
often in vicious company, and that her habits
were becoming of the worst She is wholly in
capable of controlling either her mental or
physical faculties"